Geranium plant named Super-Waltztime

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of geranium plant distinguished by flowers that have a delicate pink coloration that intensifies under high temperature and light intensities, the very large size of its inflorescence clusters, and a continuous and abundant flowering habit throughout the year with adequate length of photoperiod. This new plant is more compact and free branching and, because of its greater number of stems and a consistent tendency to produce flowers on a 2-4 node cycle, has a greater flowering potential than its predecessors.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

My new geranium plant originated as a seedling of "Skylark" ×"Waltztime", both unpatented, the cross having been made by me at IowaState University at Ames, Iowa, in the course of breeding effortscarried on by me since 1956 with the object of developing improvedgeranium cultivars having better adaptability to the summer climates ofthe upper Midwest of the United States, including tolerance to the highsummer night temperatures and humidity and a tolerance to Botrytiscinerea infection. This new plant was selected by me for propagationbecause of the color character of its inflorescence and its apparentfulfillment of my principal objectives and propagation under mydirection through successive generations by means of cuttings at theIowa State University horticultural greenhouses has shown that itsdistinctive and novel characteristics hold true from generation togeneration and appear to be firmly fixed. Propagation of this newgeranium plant for the commercial market is now being done by meristemculture and cuttings at Connellsville, Pa.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

My new geranium plant is illustrated by the accompanying full colorphotograhic drawing which shows a potted plant in full bloom, the colorsshown being as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to obtain byconventional commercial photographic procedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following is a detailed description of my new geranium cultivar withcolor designations according to The R.H.S. Colour Chart published by TheRoyal Horticultural Society of London, England, the data having beenobtained from observations of the plants of this new cultivar grown inthe horticultural greenhouses of Iowa State University at Ames, Iowa.

THE PLANT

Origin: Seedling.

Parentage:

Seed parent.--"Skylark" (unpatented).

Pollen parent.--"Waltztime" (unpatented).

Classification:

Botanic.--Pelargonium × Hortorim, Bailey.

Commercial.--Garden geranium.

Form: Bush.

Height: 25 to 40 cm. (25 cm. as a 4 inch pot plant).

Growth: Compact and vigorous.

Habit: Erect and free-branching with sturdy, strong stems.

Foliage:

Quantity.--Abundant.

Leaves.--Size--Medium large, about 10 to 11 cm. long × 7.5 to 9.5 cm.wide. Shape: Round-cordate with several rounded lobes and serratedmargins. Texture: Firm and slightly velvety to the touch. Color: Upperside--138A with central zone of 146B. Under side--138B.

Petioles.--Length: 9 to 14 cm.

THE BUD

Size: 14 to 16 mm. long and 9 to 11 mm. wide.

Shape: Pointed ovoid.

Opening: Buds open slowly.

Color:

When sepals first divide.--154D.

When petals begin to unfurl.--154D suffused with 41C.

Sepals: At first, erect; and later curling back.

Shape.--Long-pointed ovate.

Color.--Inside--146D. Outside--146C veined with 180A.

Calyx:

Aspect.--Hairy.

Peduncle: Strong and erect.

Length.--15 to 22 cm.

Aspect.--Hairy.

Color.--146B.

THE FLOWER

Flowering habit: Continuous and abundant throughout the year withadequate length of photoperiod.

Inflorescence:

Type.--Umbel.

Size.--Very large.

Diameter.--10 to 13 cm.

Depth.--6 to 8 cm.

Shape.--Semi-globular.

Number of florets or buds.--50 to 60.

Peduncle.--Sturdy and upright. Length: 15 to 25 cm. Color: 138A.

Florets.--Shape: When bloom first opens--Cup-shaped. The cup flattens tosaucer-shape as bloom matures. Petals: Number: 9 to 14, includingpetaloids. Form: Obovate to spatulate. Arrangement: Slightly imbricated.Color: Spring: White lightly suffused and veined with RHS 41C and asuggestion of a basal blotch of RHS 33A. Summer-Fall: White groundsuffused with RHS 41C and developing a margin of RHS 42A. 33A at base ofpetal and extending into upper half of petal. Winter: White suffusedwith RHS 41C with a basal blotch of RHS 33A. Reverse Side of Petals:White suffused with RHS 154D; tinted and veined with RHS 41C. Petaloids:Number: 1 to 5. Size: 1.5 to 2.0 cm. Color: Same as petals. Pedicel:Length: 2.0 to 3.1 cm. Strength: Good.

Effect of weather: None

Persistence: Florets hang on and dry.

Disease resistance: Tolerant to Botrytis cinerea as observed in areawhere the disease is prevalent.

Lasting quality: 7 days.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Stamens:

Anthers.--5 to 8 in number. Length: 3 to 4 mm. Arrangement: Cylindrical.

Filaments.--Length: 5 to 6 mm. Color: White.

Pollen.--Color--Reddish-Brown.

Pistils: Number--1.

Styles.--8 to 9 mm. long.

Stigma.--Color--Red-Brown.

Fruit: Partially fertile.

Shape.--Ovoid with a long beak.

Color at maturity.--Brownish-Black.

This geranium is similar in growth habit and cultural requirements tothe older cultivars "Waltztime" and "Skylark". The flower color is inthe same general color range of those cultivars but differs from them inthat the color intensifies under high temperatures and high lightintensities. This new plant is more compact and free branching, andbecause of its greater number of stems and a consistent tendency toproduce flowers on a 2-4 node cycle, it has a greater floweringpotential than the earlier cultivars.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of geranium plant substantiallyas herein shown and described, characterized by a vigorous and muchbranched growth habit and a continuous and abundant year aroundflowering under photoperiod culture.